Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think seriously about travelling with the DC for a couple of years?

194 replies

NotWell · 19/02/2012 21:15

I feel hemmed in. I hate suburbia. The DC are 7 and 3.

DC 1 isn't a fan of school...she's ok but it's not her ideal situation. I KNOW she needs an education...but I just keep dreaming about taking them both off on a massive trip...in a swishy van with DH and not coming back until DC1 is old enough to start secondary.

We could do it in about a years time. My Mum would go spare...she's very traditional and would worry sick about us running all over Europe with the DC...but imagine what they would see! The places and the people...amazing.

I could H.E. them both....I could stick to the UK curriculum and keep them up to scratch.

Is it totally silly? I work from home...via a laptop. I don't need anything other than a broadband connection and my fingers to earn my living. We have savings...enough to live on and to have a cusion in case of emergency.

It's this...or buy a house. I don't want to buy a house. I want to see the world. DH feels the same.

OP posts:
travailtotravel · 19/02/2012 21:44

Ah, that makes more sense, NotWell. Well, a lot of camping to be done - is this a job for a camper van?! They cost too mind but again gives you some "home" space too?

lorcana · 19/02/2012 21:45

We did this when DC1 was 6 months old - we didn't cofine ourselves to europe though but travelled to Africa , India and US too. All in all were away 20 months. Had DC2 enroute and alcame back expecting DC3 !! Of course no schooling involved and we both Worked some of the time at our respective professions too. Wouldn't have missed it for the world - 'scuse pun !!

Coconutty · 19/02/2012 21:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

quirrelquarrel · 19/02/2012 21:45

Chances are, if her education at the moment consists of the NC, she'd be much better off keeping away from it and travelling the world. The travelling the world would be brilliant anyway. Ofsted counts for nothing. It's a flipping joke!

catgirl1976 · 19/02/2012 21:46

Do it. I would bloody love to but I won't because of all sorts of dullard non reasons.

Do it.

travailtotravel · 19/02/2012 21:47

I think kids would make it up, no worries. They;re young enough. If you don't do it next year (what, 8 and 4), it will start to be too late. When you get back you can settle for DC1 to have a year in school to get to grips and make some friends so the move to seniors at 11 is not so traumatic ... and DC2 can start school ... it all works out perfectly!

longjane · 19/02/2012 21:48

yeah i would go for it

I would let the kids go to school as well so they know what school is like in differnet place and help them make friends

I have known 2 families who have done this
one came back to their house that they had rented out but left for new zealand for good a year later as they had fell in love with the place when traveling.

another spend 2 years in working in africa ( not aid work)and now go back about 3 times a year on work trips as they are consider experts now .

both came back to uk before their eldest started senior school . (well the one that when back to NZ when there )

as you dont have a house here you wont be losing out either store your stuff or sell it and then started again if and when you come back.

Sidge · 19/02/2012 21:50

If you are financially solvent and you and your DH share the same vision then go for it.

(I can't imagine anything worse personally but then I only put down roots in the last 10 years and feel really settled now.)

It's all in the planning though - that 'Gap Year' programme highlighted just how hard it can be especially in places like Africa and South America.

pranma · 19/02/2012 21:53

Do it and write a book about it :) I'd love to read it.

BiscuitNibbler · 19/02/2012 21:54

I think you need to think carefully about who you are doing it for, because I do believe it is for yourself rather than your children. Don't get me wrong, this isn't necessarily the wrong reason to do it, but I think you have to be honest with yourself.

My parents travelled extensively when I was a child (due to my dad's work). It was a great experience and taught me a lot, but it made me "rootless" and I do envy people who have a true sense of belonging to a place. I have moved around a lot as an adult, and feel I can't really put down roots, as everything still feels temporary.

It is a tough call - I loved the experiences I had, but I also regret the experiences I missed.

iluvkids · 19/02/2012 21:55

Yes, I second the write a book

(or at very least a blog)

manicinsomniac · 19/02/2012 21:59

You should absolutely do this! 100%, go for it!

I've been meaning to take mine round South America for 3 years now. ANd the longer I leave it the less likely it is to ever happen. I need the money from my job here. If you're lucky enough to have a portable job then I would not hesitate.

I know one of the families that did the 'crazy gap year' docu series - they said it was the best thing they'd ever done and the children did not fall behind in school (okay, one of them did a little but it was worth it for the learning experiences elsewhere and they will catch up)

Haziedoll · 19/02/2012 22:00

Another one who wants to read your book. Grin

Do it, but agree with the poster who said don't confine yourselves to Europe.

Original poster
NotWell · 19/02/2012 22:04

No Annunziata I would put them in school when we return....I mentioned that I would stick to the UK curriculum.

Gumby DH is also sef employed and whilst his profession is not stuck to one area, he would not really be able to work properly whilst we travelled. But he would be fine with that. THe Oz part of our trip would be mainly his project.

OP posts:
Tmesis · 19/02/2012 22:05

Do it!

ChippingInNeedsCoffee · 19/02/2012 22:12

Definitely go for it!! Life is too short not to do things you want to do & are in a position to do!!

worzelswife · 19/02/2012 22:14

Do it! Definitely.
I know friends of friends who did this and loved it. The children were desperately homesick and wanted to come home however, so be prepared for that. However, even with those feelings I'd go because they'll be so grateful afterwards. They will learn so much!

Jealous!

ChippingInNeedsCoffee · 19/02/2012 22:16

Family Gap Year

mockingjay · 19/02/2012 22:17

I'm another one who was moved around Europe as a child. Definitely negatives as well as positives.

Seeing lots of places is not a positive from a child's point of view. I've apparently been to many famous European landmarks, but don't have the faintest memory of any of them (aged 6-10). I do however remember meeting lots of different people, and now am very open to cultural differences. Also I am finding it difficult to settle as an adult, so be prepared for your kids to get a taste for it and move far away!

ledkr · 19/02/2012 22:18

I was planning to do this a few years ago with dd1 who was 7,we learnt spanish and i wanted to settle in spain and send her to a spanish school,was going to sell my house,reant something in spain and do casual work.Then i met dh who i adore and he has a career so didnt want to leave the uk.I often think about it and still would love to escape the rat race which i loathe.

TheLaineyWayIsEssex · 19/02/2012 22:23

Yanbu.
Marking my place to read other replies,tomorrow
Dp and I plan to take ds (14.5mo) travelling in a couple of years. Not sure how this will happen.
IMO it can only be a positive experience for ds, and the opportunity to learn another language invaluable.
Go for it - the UK is going nowhere, and will still be here if/when you come back.
Better to do it now before dc are in high school and have important exams to consider

ChaoticAngel · 19/02/2012 22:25

I'd rather regret something I did do than something I didn't.

Do it, as other's have said life it too short.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 19/02/2012 22:26

Watching with interst as DP and I hope to do this when LO is a little older. For us it would be camper van round Asia or South America. We both strongly believe it would be a great thing to do as a family. My bro thinks we're bonkers but the rest of the family love the idea & would come meet us in various places.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 19/02/2012 22:28

Oh, and as I'm a teacher what we'll probably do is go away for a month during one of the summer hols as a practice run & then take off properly a year or so later Grin

confusedpixie · 19/02/2012 22:31

Do it! I cannot wait to do it with my own kids!

There was a TV show about family gap years a while back that was very inspiring.